Xhaka v Rice set to be one of the best midfield duels of the season

Football writer Adrian Clarke identifies the key players, team tactics and where matches could be won and lost in Matchweek 11.

Player analysis Granit Xhaka (Sunderland) & Declan Rice (Arsenal)

Xhaka versus Rice, the man who effectively replaced him in Mikel Arteta’s side, promises to be one of the best midfield duels of the season so far.

The duo are both enjoying outstanding campaigns, and it will be fascinating to watch them do battle at the Stadium of Light on Saturday.

Both midfielders are a driving force in for their respective team, possessing great set-piece prowess, and are leaders who set the tone.

These two past and present Gunners are arguably among the most impactful all-round central midfielders in the Premier League.

The table below compares the two, looking at several different parameters, including possession won, tackles won and passes into the final third.

Numbers-wise, and with certain minimum requirements in place, Xhaka and Rice belong in a special quartet of midfielders alongside Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes and Bruno Guimaraes of Newcastle United.

PL midfielders' key contributions 25/26

Scroll across on mobile to see the full table

You may expect 26-year-old Rice to belong in this company, playing for the league leaders and considered by many to be a world-class performer in the position he plays.

But Xhaka’s inclusion, on his return to English football at the age of 33 and playing for a promoted club, shows what an extraordinary impact he has made at Sunderland.

Rice’s role change

Former West Ham United star Rice is being used differently by Arteta this season.

In 2024/25, he was often stationed high on the left side of midfield, way ahead of the man on the ball, charged with the task of making an impact inside the final third.

Rice performed that job well but has looked markedly better, and more influential, in a deeper position to the left of summer signing Martin Zubimendi.

Now virtually an orthodox left-sided central midfielder, Rice can use his rounded skill set to better effect, helping Arsenal with and without the ball.

His touch count per 90 minutes has risen from 64.05 to 83.64, and that is definitely a positive change for the side.

Rice's heat maps below reflect the contrast.

Xhaka has new responsibilities

Xhaka ended his time in north London on an exciting high, delivering a career-high 14 goal involvements for Arsenal in 2022/23 with seven goals and seven assists.

That season he attacked with great quality for Arteta’s side and showcased what a fabulous left-sided No 8 he can be.

His experience and nous are now being used in a different way by Sunderland head coach Regis Le Bris.

The Switzerland international has reverted into a more defensive presence and is operating as the most dominant player inside central midfield. 

Interestingly, he is also playing on the right of a pairing, alongside Noah Sadiki at the Stadium of Light, rather than to the left.

His passing network graphics below illustrate the change in his position.

Doing damage from long range

Xhaka’s distribution for Sunderland has been of the highest standard.

He keeps things simple inside his own half and is reliable in possession, but he has also been very progressive with his passes.

Xhaka goes forward with 34 per cent of his passes, compared to the 23.4 per cent of Rice, as he looks to break lines and find Sunderland attackers.

This superb, lofted pass over the top for Enzo Le Fee against Everton is an example of his guile.

No one else in the division can eclipse Xhaka’s 52 successful long passes either.

Most successful long PL passes 25/26

And as shown on this Opta graphic, Xhaka's left foot pings the ball left, right and down the spine of the pitch in search of Sunderland runners.

Arteta’s back four, who have kept eight consecutive clean sheets across all competitions, must get their distances right when Xhaka has the ball at his feet.

If they are a fraction too high, he is someone who can drop the ball over their heads with a moment of real quality.

Rice is also top-class when it comes to raking long balls, even if his quantity is significantly less at 25.

He switches play to Bukayo Saka or Leandro Trossard with effortless quality, and as we saw in Europe this week, he can play dangerous vertical balls too.

Rice's magnificent dipping pass assisted Mikel Merino for his second goal against Slavia Prague.

Rice has more athleticism

With a seven-year age gap between them, you would perhaps expect Arsenal’s Rice to be the quicker, more high-powered central midfielder.  

His forceful driving runs have become a feature of Arsenal's play since he joined from West Ham in 2023.

Rice’s speed and determination to cover team-mates when the Gunners get stretched is another ingredient where he has improved the team.

Xhaka is keeping pace with Rice in terms of distance covered per 90 minutes, recording almost identical data, and he applies more pressures to the man on the ball, as indicated in the table below.

Xhaka v Rice distance/speed/sprints/pressures compared 25/26

In terms of drive and full-pitch mobility, Rice clearly has the legs to impact matches with his running in a way that Xhaka cannot.

We saw a good example of that in last weekend’s 2-0 win at Burnley when Rice sprinted from his own box to score from a rapid Gunners counter.  

Watch: Rice's showreel v Burnley

Set-piece magic

Arsenal have scored 10 set-piece goals this season, and Rice has been at the heart of many of them.

His whipped-in deliveries are fast becoming part of Arsenal folklore, with Gabriel Magalhaes often the beneficiary of his wicked inswingers.

In terms of official Premier League assists, Rice has just two to his name though.

Following a short corner he curled a beautiful ball onto Merino’s head to score at St James’ Park, and this cross for Jurrien Timber grabbed him an assist at home to Leeds United.

Xhaka is another masterful technician in dead-ball situations, and is level with Rice on nine key passes from set-plays this season.

This inch-perfect left-footed ball for Omar Alderete earned Sunderland a 1-0 victory at Nottingham Forest.

Watch: Xhaka's assist for Alderete v Forest

So, whether it is from a corner or wide free-kick, or in open play, do not be surprised if Rice and Xhaka are involved in the big moments at the Stadium of Light.

Both are rounded footballers that help their respective sides in a multitude of ways.

They also happen to be two of the most in-form Premier League players.

Their upcoming duel promises to be a high-class battle.

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